Warning: reading this blog may induce a burning desire to run out and buy something
The information on this blog is free. I happily spend hours updating it, adding photos and links of interest. I answer emails from individuals who want advice. All in the quest to help cross-country skiers find the best conditions and generally make it easier to have a good experience when out on the snow.
Imagine my surprise and amusement a few days ago when I saw a local club with a link to my site, and beside the link was written:
“this is an e-commerce site that generates income from your visits – you decide”
To set the record straight, I receive no income from visits to this blog. That statement is 100% incorrect.
I contacted the offending club and received this reply:
“hi bob. i apologize for misrepresenting your website. my site and those that i provide links to do not contain advertising. your site provides excellent skiing information and does not have advertisements. but – it does have numerous mouse over pop-ups containing links to sites promoting equipment sales, hotels, vacations, real estate, etc..”
Does this person(or was it decided by a commttee?) believe his club members are so impulsive and impressionable that they will immediately run out and buy something if they see a link on here?
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I’ve put a number of links on my blog because I’m interested in promoting cross-country sking, and it’s impossible to cover all the bases without giving links to commercial enterprises who are there to serve the cross-country skiing community. I believe in making all information available and leaving it up to the individual to make their informed choices.
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I would consider it an insult to my intelligence if someone told me “don’t go there because you might be influenced by something you read.”
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I think the cross-country skiing community would be better served by cross-promoting and doing all we can to help each other. The more information we have, the better off we’ll all be, without worrying that someone is going to make a living by serving us.
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The offending club’s site now states along side the link to my blog:
“… this site contains numerous links to commercial sites – you decide”
That is so petty and patronizing. Anyway, that’s my rant. I appreciate all the positive feedback and above all, I want this(my blog and skiing) to continue being a labour of love. It seems nowadays there’s always someone whining about something, even free information.
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P.S. I’ve met members of this club on the trail, and I’ve received very positive feedback from every one. In fact, some of them are effusive in their praise of SkiHere.ca. No one has mentioned anything about the commercial links.
Hi Bob.We love this site,it’s wonderful to be able to get accurate information and updates.Thank you very much.Gus and Thersa
Great site Bob! I don’t blame you for being indignant about the editorial comment made by “that ski club”. Thank you for the hours you are putting into sharing all the valuable information.
Donna
Thanks to your site Bob, among other things like upto date ski conditions, I’ve been able to learn about places which specifically cater to XC skiers. I appreciate this!
West Bragg today: +6 Crystal line, Mountain Road, and connections are in poor condition – lots of debris, exposed ice flows, and a thin base, with exposures here and there. No tracksetting. Still great to be outside though!